The Benrus Watch – The History Behind Benrus Watches

Benrus Watch Company is well loved and popular among watch aficionados.

While it is so, there is very little is known about the history of this company. While you are assured that Benrus watches are of fine quality craftsmanship, it may help to know the history behind it to be sure that when you buy this fine quality watches, you are not mistaken.

Benrus Watch Company started in 1921 as a watch repair shop in New York City. The owner is Benjamin Lazrus, who is a Jewish Romanian born who migrated to the United States.

From his humble watch repair shop, he has ventured in the manufacture of watchcases. His company was later on registered as an importer and wholesaler. His company, Benrus Watch Company is not a manufacturer as registered but as importer and wholesaler. Why is this so? The reason for this is because while Benrus Watch Company is manufacturing watchcases, he is importing ebauches, which are Swiss made movement.

Ebauches is a term used when you speak of Swiss watches movements, not complete watches but rather mere movements and inserted in watchcases. This is the reason why Benrus Watch Company is considered a Swiss company mainly because the watches that they produce are basically Swiss made because of the movements imported from Swiss manufacturers.

By the year 1930, Benrus already manufactured watches on his own, while continually importing ebauches, he has ventured into creating his own brand of watches which a twist. Benrus Watch Company brought to the market rectangular and cushion watches, which are not very common during that time. This made the company thrive during the World War without disruption.

In the 1940’s, Benrus Watch Company introduced the calendar watch. This watch will not only tell the time, but also has a calendar showing the month and a hand indicating the date of the month. This added feature made the Benrus Watch the most famous mass produced complicated watch.

The company did not stop offering a complication in their watches because in 1950, Benrus watch introduced the Dial-a-Rama watch. It is a watch with the jump hour technology and a star wheel for reading seconds located in the center. The company likewise offered the watch with winding indicator and the alarm watch. This has brought in the most number of alarm watches ever sold by a company during that era.

The year 1970 was a challenging year for the watch making industry, in order to stay in business; Benrus offered the cheaper movement and ladies movements in their watches. However, because of the advent of quartz lines and cheaper model watches, Benrus no longer manufacture watches. You may see models dating after 1970 but they would be just names of these watch companies.

Thus, if you are looking for an authentic Benrus watch

You have to look for vintage models earlier than 1970. Then, you are sure that you are buying the original Benrus watch that is Swiss-made and exquisitely designed by Benrus and his team. Anything later than that may not be a good Benrus Watch anymore.

I recently came into a Benrus watch and want to find out if I can get a rough idea what year it was made and if I can still get a new glass face for the watch. The watch appears to be early, it’s mechanical, have to wind it every 24 hours. It has a hole in the face towards the top for the hours. The glass has a slight clam in one corner but is not chipped or broken through yet, thank you.